Reports of warnings before Oct. 7 put Netanyahu under election pressure

Israelis are preparing to vote on October 27 in the first election since the Hamas-led attack of October 7, 2023.

Claims that Netanyahu ignored warnings before the attack have resurfaced in Israeli and foreign media.

Reports say Egyptian officials warned Israel that Hamas was planning a major operation, including a call from Egypt’s intelligence chief to Netanyahu.

Netanyahu’s office denies he received an early message from Egypt and says he did not speak or meet with the intelligence chief during his government.

Netanyahu has said key intelligence was withheld from him before the attack, while some Israelis blame senior military officers for the failure.

The disputed claims could affect a close election campaign by raising questions about who was responsible for the attack and what they knew.

Voters will decide whether Netanyahu remains prime minister when they go to the polls.